May 24, 2014 Alaskan 9 night Wonder

[katpen5]

I think anything Nikon (or Cannon) and you will be fine. I shoot Nikon and have a nice DSLR but also have a small "point and shoot" COOLPIX I got from Nikon as well. It does a fair job. If you are not looking to control the lighting and shutter speed much, you will be fine with a point and shoot camera. If you are looking to start a new hobby and really get into the photos, then you will want a DSLR. Either way, check Costco first for a camera. Usually, they will have a great package that includes extras for not much more than regular retail. My next choice is Amazon and then Best Buy. This will be my third trip to Alaska and even though its big and bulky, I have to take my good camera and all my lenses. The landscape is just too beautiful. If you decide to go DSLR and want some more detailed tips, PM me and I can help. Good luck!!

 

[katpen5]

Does anyone have any camera recommendations? I obviously want to get something better than our iphones but I don't want to break the bank and get anything too fancy since we won't use it much outside of this trip.

So, I tried to reply but it created its own post... sorry. Look at the next post for my response. Still "earning my ears" you know.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Does anyone have any camera recommendations? I obviously want to get something better than our iphones but I don't want to break the bank and get anything too fancy since we won't use it much outside of this trip.

You definitely want to get something with a good zoom. We bought DD a Canon Powershot SX160 P&S with a 16X zoom. She likes it because she can take movies with it too. At the time, it was under $150.

 

[Vegam060]

Sitka excursions are now on the Disney cruise website

 

[chris31997]

Okay, got some breathing room and can post about the revel

I had sooo much fun shopping and prepping for this. It was a blast.

Kat woke up and had been up an hour before everyone else. So she had time to think about what was going on and why there was hand/foot warmers and gloves in the stockings. Something Santa had never brought before. Then instead of a free for all in opening the gifts. They had to open certain gifts at certain times. They opened the ones from family first and then the ones from us. We had friends who went back to FL for some buisness and squeezed in a trip to WDW. They picked up a couple of pin for us. I ordered Trevis(or how ever it is spelt ) for everyone. That will be the coffe cup pic. We all have "personalized" ones. I picked out charcters that reminded me of each of us. The binos were awesome. It totally threw off the kids. The last was the t-shirts. It says "DeMello Christian Academy DCL Alaska May 2014" with a grad hat. It is in her colors: red/black.

There is still more to come. They both have no clue Although, I about blew it several times. I have shirts for family coming to meet us at the cruise. I am making a hidden Mickey book for the Wonder for Kat to try to find "all" the hidden Mickeys on the Wonder. We love to pin trade and find hidden Mickeys

Feel free to come up to Kat and say hi if you see her or us on the first day. We all will be wearing the shirt

Hopefully the link will post

https://www.facebook.com/chrissy.de...4956.1073741832.1466351013&type=3&uploaded=19

 

[chris31997]

I have the Cannon Rebel and love it. DD has Nikon with a waterproof case. Both are coming. Mine for the zoom and hers for the snorkeling. Hers is a point and shoot.

Yeah for the Sitka excursions

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Chris31997, it looks like you carried off the huge surprise. I don't think I could have ever managed that, and I bet you are more than relieved to have the part behind you and to be able to talk openly about the trip.

 

[hamm1207]

In regards to the FE--I saw on the first page that we're up to 29 cabins with 89 folks so far. How many are B2B cruisers?

Are you planning on creating a separate list for those who join after the deadline? In the past we've had lots a of folks want to join the FE within the last month prior to sailing (usually those who purchased the cruise last minute or just found disboards). What we've done in the past is either create a separate list (if there's a lot) or we've just added them to the list, with the disclaimer that they joined after the deadline so not everyone would have gifts for them as gifts were purchased/made based on deadline numbers.

 

[sambycat]

Happy New Year, y’all! i’ve got to work tomorrow but i’m bleary eyed from trying to read through all the many pages of this meet thread! Thanks to all for the great info, pics and stories!

we are a group of 5 adults (Me, DH, DSS(20) + pals husband and wife couple) all traveling together. their second DCL, i’m gold with each family member one behind me! i’ve been o the wonder twice - haven’t been i about 4 years - DH and I got engaged onboard! ha! anyway, eager to follow along and glean knowledge and throw any tidbits out there we can.

we wouldn’t be doing the FE, but do want to at least greet our fellow disers with a knowing look and nod as we sail the glaciers!!! and wander around vancouver completely clueless trying to figure out where we are rolling our luggage too and how the heck we will pay for the pan pacific and our flights AND FIND THE AMTRAK STATION AAAIIIIEEEEE

BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! wow - it’s really here!

lisa

 

[RweTHEREyet]

In regards to the FE--I saw on the first page that we're up to 29 cabins with 89 folks so far. How many are B2B cruisers?

Are you planning on creating a separate list for those who join after the deadline? In the past we've had lots a of folks want to join the FE within the last month prior to sailing (usually those who purchased the cruise last minute or just found disboards). What we've done in the past is either create a separate list (if there's a lot) or we've just added them to the list, with the disclaimer that they joined after the deadline so not everyone would have gifts for them as gifts were purchased/made based on deadline numbers.

Sarah, if you go to the May 19 sailing link and check out the roster-I believe I have everyone that is doing B2B listed at the top of the roster. Not sure if that will help or not.

 

[hamm1207]

Sarah, if you go to the May 19 sailing link and check out the roster-I believe I have everyone that is doing B2B listed at the top of the roster. Not sure if that will help or not.

Thanks! I'm trying to get a current count so that I can start planning FE gifts for the B2Bers.

 

[chris31997]

Chris31997, it looks like you carried off the huge surprise. I don't think I could have ever managed that, and I bet you are more than relieved to have the part behind you and to be able to talk openly about the trip.

I am so relieved to have that part over. Now is the really hard part and watching what I say. Cause they still do not know family is meeting us So, I gotta be careful not to blow it. I came very close a couple of times.

Kat is really excited to figured out excursions and what they can do. DH is trying to talk her into snorkeling. She is not buying into that one. She keeps saying it is too cold

 

[pequele]

Hi All,

I am a newbie to this board but not to the DCL. We have done Alaska before but honestly, can you ever get too much Alaska? I think not.

I will be traveling with my husband of 20 years and our 3 boys (16, 14, 11) and one girl (7)

We always wondered about those things hanging from the fish... I can't wait to get started designing mine.

I can't wait to get to make some cruising friends!

Kathy Penrod
Colorado, USA

Hi!

Does anyone have any camera recommendations? I obviously want to get something better than our iphones but I don't want to break the bank and get anything too fancy since we won't use it much outside of this trip.

I have a point and shoot Canon (its an older Powershot I think and probably can use being replaced but is ok for the most part). I also have a Canon DSLR T3 Rebel. Love em both though I am still working on the ability to take decent pics with it! My son has a Minolta point and shoot that my dad had given him that was my dad's a few years ago. So we probably aren't the best to give new camera advice haha, I just love Canons but also have friends that are quite fond of Nikkons. I don't think you can go wrong with either one. I would certainly do a P&S.

Sitka excursions are now on the Disney cruise website

Though I must say, I am a little disappointed in the lack of kid friendly things to do. I don't know about anyone else with younger kids (mine is 5) but he's not really going to care to spend hours listening to people talk about culture or just hike through the forrest. Ironically he says he wants to go fishing...odd he isn't one to even like eating fish haha.

Happy New Year, y’all! i’ve got to work tomorrow but i’m bleary eyed from trying to read through all the many pages of this meet thread! Thanks to all for the great info, pics and stories!

we are a group of 5 adults (Me, DH, DSS(20) + pals husband and wife couple) all traveling together. their second DCL, i’m gold with each family member one behind me! i’ve been o the wonder twice - haven’t been i about 4 years - DH and I got engaged onboard! ha! anyway, eager to follow along and glean knowledge and throw any tidbits out there we can.

we wouldn’t be doing the FE, but do want to at least greet our fellow disers with a knowing look and nod as we sail the glaciers!!! and wander around vancouver completely clueless trying to figure out where we are rolling our luggage too and how the heck we will pay for the pan pacific and our flights AND FIND THE AMTRAK STATION AAAIIIIEEEEE

BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!! wow - it’s really here!

lisa

howdy!

So I asked on facebook how people are planning on getting to the hotel from the airport (we are staying at the Pan Pacific at the pier). Cab? Hire a car before? It is just my son and myself. I just get so nervous about cabs and having enough for the fare!

Also, has anyone thought of doing the excursion in Vancouver after the cruise? I was just thinking it would be something to do, but I also didn't want to rush off the boat to get to the hotel and check in to run out and find where they plan on meeting. I'm sure there is still plenty for us to do in town on our own within walking distance from the pier that we won't do the day we come in. Just wonder what others think? We'd like to get to the aquarium at some point, just not sure if there will be time the day we fly in which is the day before. Hmmmm

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Just wondering if I am the only one that has not booked any excursions and just doesn't have a clue??? I am truly dreading this part of the planning.

 

[pequele]

Just wondering if I am the only one that has not booked any excursions and just doesn't have a clue??? I am truly dreading this part of the planning.

I haven't booked anything. Ill book through DCL for my sanity only because it is just me and my 5yo.

 

[VowRenewal13]

I haven't booked anything. Ill book through DCL for my sanity only because it is just me and my 5yo.

We have decided on which excursions we want to do but will book through DCL when our window opens in February.

 

[mrp4352]

Are you planning on creating a separate list for those who join after the deadline? In the past we've had lots a of folks want to join the FE within the last month prior to sailing (usually those who purchased the cruise last minute or just found disboards). What we've done in the past is either create a separate list (if there's a lot) or we've just added them to the list, with the disclaimer that they joined after the deadline so not everyone would have gifts for them as gifts were purchased/made based on deadline numbers.

I'm fine with either option - I do feel like they should have the opportunity to be involved, even if not everyone can give to them because of the late join...

Just wondering if I am the only one that has not booked any excursions and just doesn't have a clue??? I am truly dreading this part of the planning.

This might be a really good thread for you: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2723087&highlight=alaska+excursions It's huge - but it was SO helpful when we planned our first trip. The other think you might do is check out Alaska trip reports.

 

[chris31997]

Just wondering if I am the only one that has not booked any excursions and just doesn't have a clue??? I am truly dreading this part of the planning.

I haven't booked anything. Ill book through DCL for my sanity only because it is just me and my 5yo.

Not booked anything yet either. We will book thru DCL, just makes me feel better just in case

Looking at the list there is not a lot that we are interested in doing. Snorkeling and panning for gold that is about it. Maybe walking off the boat more often than not

 

[RayOfRedondo]

Hello Everyone:

I sent an email to DCL asking what the daily themes will be each day of the cruise (Casual, Formal, etc). I just received their reply and no decision has been made as yet. Once I know I will post the schedule.

Ray

 

[RweTHEREyet]

This might be a really good thread for you: http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2723087&highlight=alaska+excursions It's huge - but it was SO helpful when we planned our first trip. The other think you might do is check out Alaska trip reports.

Thanks, I have been doing that and that is why I am overwhelmed and don't want to make any decisions.